To Disturb vs Disturbing Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To disturb (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to disturb" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I don't want to disturb their conversation.

Disturbing (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "disturbing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Disturbing others is not polite.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To disturb (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To disturb is considered rude in a library.

  To disturb is considered rude in a library.

  • "*To disturb*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (considered rude) + prepositional phrase (in a library).
• 2. Object

  She asked him not to disturb her while she was working.

  She asked him not to disturb her while she was working.

  • "Not *to disturb* her while she was working" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + pronoun (him) + adverb (not) + infinitive phrase (to disturb) + pronoun (her) + prepositional phrase (while she was working).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a quiet environment to disturb his concentration.

  He needs a quiet environment to disturb his concentration.

  • "*To disturb* his concentration" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to disturb* his concentration).

Disturbing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Disturbing the peace can result in legal consequences.

  Disturbing the peace can result in legal consequences.

  • "*Disturbing* the peace" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can result in) + noun phrase (legal consequences).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy disturbing my sister by playing pranks on her.

  I enjoy disturbing my sister by playing pranks on her.

  • "*Disturbing* my sister by playing pranks on her" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*disturbing* my sister by playing pranks on her).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She was scolded for disturbing the class.

  She was scolded for disturbing the class.

  • "For *disturbing* the class" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (was scolded) + prepositional phrase (for *disturbing* the class).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• pretend
• refuse
• wish

Example

They avoid disturbing their neighbors late at night.

I consider it rude to disturb someone during a meeting.

She pretended not to disturb them while they were talking.

He refused to disturb the sleeping baby.

We wish not to disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• mind
• consider
• postpone
• deny

Example

They recommend avoiding disturbing wild animals in their natural habitat.

Do you mind me disturbing you while you work?

He considers disturbing others a sign of disrespect.

They postponed disturbing their parents with the news until after dinner.

She denied disturbing her neighbor's sleep with loud music.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to disturb their peaceful evening. I don't like disturbing their peaceful evening.

They started to disturb the birds by throwing stones. They started disturbing the birds by throwing stones.

He began to disturb the meeting with his constant interruptions. He began disturbing the meeting with his constant interruptions.